On June 15, 2000 Darcy Regier and the Buffalo Sabres made the biggest PR mistake in the history of the franchise. They decided not to exercise the option of enforcer Rob Ray.
Something is wrong. Very wrong. I don't think Mr. Regier realizes who Rob Ray is. Rob Ray is Buffalo. He epitomes what the whole Western New York area is. Blue collar, tough, hardnosed SOB's who take pride in a job well done. For 11 seasons we saw this guy give a damn when a lot of players just stopped caring. He was always willing to put his neck out on the line so guys like Pat Lafontaine and Phil Housley could produce the points. Night after night Ray met up with the top heavyweights in the NHL and most of the time held his own. Thats the kind of guy I respect. Someone who just takes the bull by the horns and kicks ass for his cause. His battles with Tie Domi have become something legendary. Thats the kind of hockey I love, two heavyweights that love to have a good clean duel. Something that isnt seen in Bettman's "New Age" hockey.
We can go on and on about who much of a leader on the ice he was but off the ice he was the same way. Was a one time winner of the Clancy award which is given to the person who contributes to his community. Rob Ray was often active at Childrens Hospital and Roswell Cancer Center in Buffalo. He also held many fundraisers. What a humanitarian.
This is a tribute to Rob Ray so I am not going to waste this space to say how Regier has screwed up. I will just say the Sabres have made a grave mistake. We will miss you Rob Ray, but you will never be forgotten for all the work on and off the ice you have done. Thank you Rob Ray!
In honor of Rob Ray, I have dedicated
Fighters Corner! in his name.
